A plurality of Americans want Republicans to win control of the House and Senate in the 2022 midterms, according to a national poll.
With less than a year to go until Election Day, 46 percent of Americans prefer Republicans gaining control of both chambers of Congress. Just 38 percent say they want Democrats to retain the House, and 40 percent say they want Democrats to keep the Senate. The poll, which was conducted by Quinnipiac University, fell largely along party lines, with independent voters favoring the GOP by a 10-point margin.
The poll comes as the Biden administration battles record lows in approval ratings. Only 38 percent of Americans approve of President Joe Biden's job performance, and 28 percent approve of Vice President Kamala Harris's performance, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll. The low ratings highlight Americans' increasing concern over issues like rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, and the ongoing crisis on the southern border.
Americans surveyed for the Quinnipiac poll said among the most important issues facing the nation today are political polarization, the economy, immigration, and inflation. When asked which party would better handle these issues, a plurality—46 percent—said the Republican Party would do the best job.
The poll also showed a majority of Americans disapprove of Biden's foreign policy and his handling of the economy, as well as his attempt to mandate vaccines or require weekly COVID-19 tests for businesses with more than 100 employees. A majority also said Biden is not honest and does not have good leadership skills.
Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said the poll's results were "an ominous double whammy for the Democrats with midterms less than a year out."
"The Senate and the House will be up for grabs and voters want the GOP to win the jump ball," Malloy said.
More than half of Americans said the Democratic Party has moved too far to the left and are dissatisfied with the direction the country is going in. About a third said the Republican Party has moved too far to the right. Most disapprove of the way Republicans and Democrats in Congress are doing their job.
The poll surveyed more than 1,000 American adults nationwide between Nov. 11 and 15.